JONATHAN Stott is a star of his school rugby team - even though he only has one leg.

Jonathan, 16, lost the limb when he fell off the back of his father's motorbike when he was just eight-years-old.

His foot became trapped in the back wheel of the bike and his leg was amputated below the knee.

But despite his handicap Jonathan, of Cowm Park Way, Whitworth, has managed to lead an active life, playing golf, running in cross-country races and playing rugby at Crompton House School.

Jonathan, who wears an artificial leg, said: "My headteacher, Mr Grundy, only found out when I was in a wheelchair for a while following an operation to stop the bone growing through my skin. Everyone else already knew, so it wasn't a big deal."

Jonathan, who is in the middle of sitting his GCSEs, does not remember the accident in 1995, but having an artificial leg has not stopped him doing anything in life.

"When it happened, my friends were shocked, but they got used to it and I just got on with my life."

For his courage, Jonathan was selected out of four nominees to receive the Rochdale Childer Award at a special school assembly. He said: "Mr Grundy gave a short speech about the award and what I had done with my life which was nice, but a bit embarrassing.

"It was really nice getting the award as it is a major achievement and my family and two brothers were really proud of me."

And his active life will continue this summer. He said: "I would quite like to be a holiday rep somewhere hot and sunny."

Headteacher Bill Grundy said: "It is amazing that Jonathan has had such an injury and has never let it affect him.